Wild Cherry

The bark of the wild cherry tree is a traditional Native American remedy for
two seemingly unrelated conditions: respiratory infections and anxiety. European
settlers quickly adopted the herb for similar purposes.

What Is Wild Cherry Used for Today?

Over time, wild cherry has come to be used primarily as a component of cough
syrups. It is tempting to connect the two traditional uses of wild cherry by
imagining that it functions like codeine to affect both the mind and the cough
reflex. However, this is just speculation, as there has been very little
scientific evaluation of this herb.

Dosage

Syrups containing wild cherry should be taken as directed.

Safety Issues

Wild cherry is generally regarded as safe when used at recommended dosages. However, since it contains small amounts of cyanide, it should not be taken to excess. It is not recommended for use by young children, pregnant or nursing women, or those with severe liver or kidney disease. Some evidence suggests that wild cherry might interact with various medications by affecting their metabolism in the liver, but the extent of this effect has not been fully determined.
1

All EBSCO Publishing proprietary, consumer health and medical information found on this site is accredited by URAC. URAC's Health Web Site Accreditation Program requires compliance with 53 rigorous standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audits. To send comments or feedback to our Editorial Team regarding the content please email us at
HLEditorialTeam@ebscohost.com.

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.